Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Thomas L. Friedman will deliver keynote remarks at the 2012 Mackinac Policy Conference, the Detroit Regional Chamber announced today as it opened online registration for the annual gathering of Michigan's biggest names in business and politics.

Friedman, a foreign affairs columnist for the New York Times, is expected to discuss his latest book, "That Used To Be US: How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Comeback," which explores the impact of globalization, the information technology revolution, federal deficits and patterns of energy consumption.

"Michigan has the opportunity to right itself and Friedman will discuss how Michigan must adapt to the 21st century global market through innovation and collaboration to be successful," Sandy K. Baruah, president and chief executive officer of the Detroit Regional Chamber, said in a released statement.

The choice is at once inspired and curious.

A bright thinker and bold writer, Friedman in 2008 published a scathing indictment of visionless auto executives and enabling politicians who contributed to the near collapse of General Motors and Chrysler, suggesting that Michigan's Congressional delegation should serve as pallbearers "if and when they do have to bury Detroit."

Friedman may have burned a few bridges in Michigan, but there's a ferry to Mackinac Island, where the 2012 conference begins May 29 and runs through June 1.